Donald Trump Orders Bill Pulte to Cut the Office of the Director of National Intelligence
On June 5, 2026, President Donald Trump announced a sweeping restructuring plan for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). In interviews with the Wall Street Journal and remarks on Air Force One, the president declared his intent to reduce the agency’s size and, in some statements, even terminate it entirely.
The announcement centers on a newly appointed acting director, Bill Pulte, who has been tapped by the president to "start the process" of firing staff. Trump described the ODNI as “too big” and “unnecessary,” emphasizing that many personnel are in the agency for political reasons rather than expertise, citing “holdovers from the Biden and Obama administrations.”
TPS Continues:
- Trump said he would be pleased with any staff cuts Pulte makes and has tasked him with more than just trimming numbers – he wants the agency to adopt new oversight mechanisms and release information he claims is crucial about the 2020 election.
- Pulte, who simultaneously leads the Federal Housing Finance Agency, has no prior national‑security experience. The president downplayed this by labeling Pulte a “smart guy” who can quickly learn the role.
- Though the acting director can serve a 210‑day term, Trump indicated he is evaluating five candidates for the permanent post and that a successor should continue the cuts he has set in motion.
- The move has sparked bipartisan concern, particularly from senators who oppose renewing a key Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act program, worried that Pulte’s lack of expertise might impair surveillance operations.
Historically, the ODNI has undergone scale‑back efforts under previous directors, including Tulsi Gabbard, who slashed the workforce by roughly 40% and saved nearly a billion dollars. Gabbard has since resigned, and President Trump’s version of “ODNI 2.0” was framed as a step toward a leaner intelligence apparatus.
Trump also voiced an intention to investigate alleged “rigged elections,” a comment that aligns with his repeated claims that the 2020 election was stolen. He urged Pulte to examine evidence and potentially release findings. The president’s media framing painted the agency as bloated and inefficient, justifying the cuts as a cost‑saving measure.
Overall, Trump’s directive to Pulte represents an unprecedented attempt to streamline the United States’ intelligence bureaucracy. If enacted, the reductions could make the ODNI more efficient, but critics warn that such changes risk undermining critical oversight and continuity of intelligence operations.
As the situation develops, observers will watch closely how Pulte balances his dual roles, the timing of proposed layoffs, and the legal and political implications of reorganizing a central component of national security.
